Wednesday, March 6, 2013

How long does it take Vitamin B-12 to be absorbed into my system?

Q. After research as to my lack of energy lately, I came across a few people who suggested taking Vitamin B-12 as it is responsible for energy metabolisim and I may be deficient. After reading some blogs and the packaging on the actual vitamins I decided to go with the sublingul (under the tongue) form as it is abosrbed into my system faster. I am taking the reccommended dosage once a day and It is working beautifuly although I'm wondering if I am feeling energy when I do because the Vitamin kicks in or if it's a placibo effect. Does anybody know how long it takes to be absorbed...minutes...hours...your response is much appreciated.

A. Physiology of Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion

Following ingestion, absorption of thiamin occurs mainly in the jejunum, at lower concentrations as an active, carrier-mediated system involving phosphorylation and at higher concentrations by passive diffusion. Thiamin is transported in blood both in erythrocytes and plasma.

Only a small percentage of a high dose of thiamin is absorbed, and elevated serum values result in active urinary excretion of the vitamin (Davis et al., 1984). After an oral dose of thiamin, peak excretion occurs in about 2 hours, and excretion is nearly complete after 4 hours (Levy and Hewitt, 1971; Morrison and Campbell, 1960). In a study by Davis and colleagues (1984), a 10-mg oral dose of thiamin was given in water, and the mean serum thiamin peaked at 24 nmol/L (7.2 µg/L) �42 percent above baseline. Within 6 hours the serum thiamin concentration had returned to baseline, 17 nmol/L (5.2 µg/L). Prompt urinary excretion of thiamin was also reported by Najjar and Holt (1940) and McAlpine and Hills (1941).

With higher pharmacological levels, namely repetitive 250-mg amounts taken orally and 500 mg given intramuscularly, nearly 1 week was required for steady state plasma concentrations to be reached; a mean elimination half-life of 1.8 days was estimated (Royer-Morrot et al., 1992).

Total thiamin content of the adult human has been estimated to be approximately 30 mg, and the biological half-life of the vitamin is probably in the range of 9 to 18 days (Ariaey-Nejad et al., 1970).
Clinical Effects of Inadequate Intake

Early stages of thiamin deficiency may be accompanied by non-specific symptoms that may be overlooked or easily misinterpreted (Lonsdale and Shamberger, 1980). The clinical signs of deficiency include anorexia; weight loss; mental changes such as apathy, decrease in short-term memory, confusion, and irritability; muscle weakness; and cardiovascular effects such as an enlarged heart (Horwitt et al., 1948; Inouye and Katsura, 1965; Platt, 1967; Williams et al., 1942; Wilson, 1983). In wet beriberi, edema occurs; in dry


Can taking a Vitamin B-12 supplement hurt me if I don't have a deficiency?
Q. I was lacking energy so I thought I'd give it a try. Could it potentially hurt me if B-12 deficiency isn't the problem?

A. For the lack of energy try:
B-complex, and Vitamin C with bioflavonoids.


Are there different types of vitamin B-12? Or they are all the same?
Q. Are there different types of vitamin B-12? Or they are all the same? Thanks
Thanks guys

A. cyanocobalamin (C63H88N14O14PCo)

a complex water-soluble organic compound that is essential to a number of microorganisms and animals, including humans. Vitamin B12 aids in the development of red blood cells in higher animals. The vitamin, which is unique in that it contains a metallic ion, cobalt, has a complex chemical structure

hydroxocobalamin (C62H89CoN13O15P)

a member of the vitamin B12 group used in treating and preventing vitamin B12 deficiency

I would suggest looking into methylcobalamin. Can be found in tablet form and no need of injections.

Edit: By the time that I finally found the one site that I listed in my source, seems that the first answer got several thumbs down - which I was NOT part of.


What type of food has a good source of vitamin B-12?
Q. Just wondering what type of foods have a good source of vitamin B-12. I tried looking it up but everything was meat and i'm a vegetarian... ha ha :) thanks!

A. Red Star Nutritional Yeast and Spirulina are the old vegan standby sources. Going veg can be scary! But, don't let the fear-mongering, misinformed, know-it-alls scare you or try to capitalize on your fear for that matter. Many groups and societies have survived on vegetarian and vegan diets for hundreds of years - without the whole deficiency nitpicking jive. They always knew that a balanced diet was the key to good health. I and my husband (and many other vegans/vegetarians that we know and have met) have been vegan/vegetarian for more than 20 years. None of us struggle with diet related and/or nutrient deficiencies and we don't sit around wondering where we will get our B-12 or about the combining of foods in order to absorb it. We make sure that we eat a balanced diet of whole foods and we are fine. The whole protein, calcium, iron and B-12 deficiency scare in a healthy, balanced veg diet, is just that, a scare. I'm sure that you will find that only people with unhealthy, unbalanced diets (veg or not) develop deficiencies. That is excluding genetic disorders, chronic illnesses or eating disorders of course; but if you don't fall into that category: just keep eating your greens and take care:)





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